SC political events inspire new Drive-By Truckers song

Drive-By Truckers, the alternative country band that headlined the St. Pat’s Festival in Five Points this year, has a new album coming out Sept. 30.

The group has always been openly political, and “American Band” is the most direct yet.

The album delves into last year’s massacre in Charleston and the continued controversy over the Confederate flag, among other topics.

“I wanted this to be a no bones about it, in your face political album,” guitarist and vocalist Mike Cooley said in a press release.

NPR music featured Drive-By Truckers’ song “Surrender Under Protest” on its “Songs We Love” segment Tuesday.

The song, written by Cooley, was inspired by the successful removal of the Confederate flag from the S.C. State House grounds last July, according to NPR.

Ann Powers writes, “As Cooley laments that ‘the victims and aggressors just remain each others’ others,’ the band builds a mighty sound behind him, grounded in viscous guitar lines and Jay Gonzalez’s holy keyboards.”

Listen to “Surrender Under Protest” below:

This story was originally published June 22, 2016 at 5:28 PM with the headline "SC political events inspire new Drive-By Truckers song."